GPRACING MARCH 2020 65
Verstappen is perennially linked to Mercedes,
of course, but recent comments from Toto
Wolff about his team’s future commitmentto
F1, coupled with a major new sponsor deal
with Ineos that runs well beyond 2021, all point
to Lewis remaining in post – even if the precise
details still need to be hammered out. Toto
has pledged to make this negotiation his
“number one priority”.
“His [Hamilton’s] options are now somewhat
limited,” adds Horner. “Does thatput h im in a
stronger position with Mercedes or Mercedes
in a strong position? Who knows? It’s none of
our business. [I’m just] glad that we’re not in
that scenario.”
Although Wolff is a long-term admirer of
Max’s driving, and an old friend ofMax’s father
and co-manager Jos, there is also some doubt
Toto would want topair Verstappen with Lewis
and risk re-igniting the sorts of fireworks that
made managing Mercedes so stressful when
2016 world champion Nico Rosberg was at the
team. It would be a lot of fun for F1 fans, but
probably not so muchfor Toto...
“Financially, it will be very difficult as well,”
says Jos whenGP Racingchecks in with the
former Benetton, Tyrrell and Arrows F1 driver
to find out more about whythe Verstappen
clan has chosen to nail its colours so
emphatically to the Red Bull mast. “The outside
world would have loved that, but... probably it
is not a good idea...”
Jos reveals that Max had a clause in his
previous contractthat “has to do with position”
in the wor ld championship, which kept his son
at Red Bull for 2020 at least. We can safely
assumethis was triggered when Max entered last
season’s August summer break sitting insidethe
top three in thestan dings.
“But then I must say Max always wanted to
stay,” Jos adds. “He has a very goodfeeling with
the team. I think this isthemostimportant
thing. Max also has the last word on [the]
decision. But he feels very comfortablewith
Red Bull – he’s settling in very well. Also the
first year when [Daniel] Ricciardo left, I think
Max took it on very well. The car was difficult to
drive but Max could manage it – and also
the way he handled things, he’s getting more
and more professional.
“But then, he always had a good feeling.GPRACING MARCH 2020 65Verstappen is perennially linked to Mercedes,
of course, but recent comments from Toto
Wolff about his team’s future commitmentto
F1, coupled with a major new sponsor deal
with Ineos that runs well beyond 2021, all point
to Lewis remaining in post – even if the precise
details still need to be hammered out. Toto
has pledged to make this negotiation his
“number one priority”.
“His [Hamilton’s] options are now somewhat
limited,” adds Horner. “Does thatput h im in a
stronger position with Mercedes or Mercedes
in a strong position? Who knows? It’s none of
our business. [I’m just] glad that we’re not in
that scenario.”
Although Wolff is a long-term admirer of
Max’s driving, and an old friend ofMax’s father
and co-manager Jos, there is also some doubt
Toto would want topair Verstappen with Lewis
and risk re-igniting the sorts of fireworks that
made managing Mercedes so stressful when
2016 world champion Nico Rosberg was at the
team. It would be a lot of fun for F1 fans, but
probably not so muchfor Toto...
“Financially, it will be very difficult as well,”
says Jos whenGP Racingchecks in with the
former Benetton, Tyrrell and Arrows F1 driver
to find out more about whythe Verstappen
clan has chosen to nail its colours so
emphatically to the Red Bull mast. “The outside
world would have loved that, but... probably it
is not a good idea...”
Jos reveals that Max had a clause in his
previous contractthat “has to do with position”
in the wor ld championship, which kept his son
at Red Bull for 2020 at least. We can safely
assumethis was triggered when Max entered last
season’s August summer break sitting insidethe
top three in thestan dings.
“But then I must say Max always wanted to
stay,” Jos adds. “He has a very goodfeeling with
the team. I think this isthemostimportant
thing. Max also has the last word on [the]
decision. But he feels very comfortablewith
Red Bull – he’s settling in very well. Also the
first year when [Daniel] Ricciardo left, I think
Max took it on very well. The car was difficult to
drive but Max could manage it – and also
the way he handled things, he’s getting more
and more professional.
“But then, he always had a good feeling.